Terms & Conditions
Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program by Food System 6
About the Program
The Huhtamaki Circular Economy Start-Up Program by Food System 6 will support entrepreneurs building innovations to expedite us towards a circular economy.
FS6 will select a cohort of up to 8 entrepreneurs, working in all business entity types, to participate in this program. Participants will receive coaching and mentorship to prepare for a three-day event together in Helsinki, Finland with subject matter experts from Huhtamaki and others. The support offered will include a comprehensive business intake and assessment and due diligence training, along with communications and practical readiness support. The selected founder will receive a travel grant to cover all costs of event participation.
During the 3-day event in Helsinki, FS6 will select 3 companies to receive additional grant money and one company will also receive a full year of mentorship from FS6.
During the full year of support, the FS6 team will provide direct one-on-one coaching to the selected founder, while also providing access to our community and ecosystem.
This is an opportunity to support the entrepreneurs that are setting the pace of innovation in a complex yet crucial industry, and to connect them into our community of other Food System 6 entrepreneurs.
The time to move to a circular economy and to connect the complexity of dots within our food system is now and FS6 is honored to support the founders who are committed to a more just and sustainable world.
FS6 will select a cohort of up to 8 entrepreneurs, working in all business entity types, to participate in this program. Participants will receive coaching and mentorship to prepare for a three-day event together in Helsinki, Finland with subject matter experts from Huhtamaki and others. The support offered will include a comprehensive business intake and assessment and due diligence training, along with communications and practical readiness support. The selected founder will receive a travel grant to cover all costs of event participation.
During the 3-day event in Helsinki, FS6 will select 3 companies to receive additional grant money and one company will also receive a full year of mentorship from FS6.
During the full year of support, the FS6 team will provide direct one-on-one coaching to the selected founder, while also providing access to our community and ecosystem.
This is an opportunity to support the entrepreneurs that are setting the pace of innovation in a complex yet crucial industry, and to connect them into our community of other Food System 6 entrepreneurs.
The time to move to a circular economy and to connect the complexity of dots within our food system is now and FS6 is honored to support the founders who are committed to a more just and sustainable world.
Start Up Eligibility:
Company stage
FS6 supports early stage companies. For nonprofits, that typically means that you are within 3-5 years of formation. For for-profits, that means seed or pre-seed stages of growth, with some sort of revenue, product in market, or significant proof of concept. In rare cases, we may work with pre-revenue companies. The materials requested in the Step 1 Qualification Application (outlined below) will help us to determine and notify you if you are at the right stage to apply.
Geography
FS6 is sourcing entrepreneurs and their innovations from all over the US and around the world.
Regardless of location, the company must be legally eligible to receive grant dollars from a US registered under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Internal Revenue Code and will be subject to all regulations, requirements and laws of the United States as well as the recipient’s country and any other regulatory authorities.
FS6 is unable to provide a grant to companies based in countries on the US Embargo or Sanction list which currently includes Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea (Ukraine), and Venezuela. The regulations and countries affected are subject to change and FS6 shall be governed by the regulations current at the time of grant.
*https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx
Entity Type
Companies of any entity type, both for-profit and non-profit, and which have registered such entity in their country of domicile are encouraged to apply.
Related Parties
Employees, Officers, and Directors of Huhtamaki, FS6, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, contractors, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Program.
Company stage
FS6 supports early stage companies. For nonprofits, that typically means that you are within 3-5 years of formation. For for-profits, that means seed or pre-seed stages of growth, with some sort of revenue, product in market, or significant proof of concept. In rare cases, we may work with pre-revenue companies. The materials requested in the Step 1 Qualification Application (outlined below) will help us to determine and notify you if you are at the right stage to apply.
Geography
FS6 is sourcing entrepreneurs and their innovations from all over the US and around the world.
Regardless of location, the company must be legally eligible to receive grant dollars from a US registered under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Internal Revenue Code and will be subject to all regulations, requirements and laws of the United States as well as the recipient’s country and any other regulatory authorities.
FS6 is unable to provide a grant to companies based in countries on the US Embargo or Sanction list which currently includes Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea (Ukraine), and Venezuela. The regulations and countries affected are subject to change and FS6 shall be governed by the regulations current at the time of grant.
*https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx
Entity Type
Companies of any entity type, both for-profit and non-profit, and which have registered such entity in their country of domicile are encouraged to apply.
Related Parties
Employees, Officers, and Directors of Huhtamaki, FS6, their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, contractors, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Program.
Application Process & Timeline:
This 5-step process and timeline are included below.
This 5-step process and timeline are included below.
Step 1: Stage I Application
June 15 - August 15
Step 2: Eligible Companies invited to Submit Program Application
June 15 - August 15
Step 3: Application screening, Interviews, & Evaluation
August 15-September 30
Step 4: Offers Extended to Program Cohort
September 30
Step 5: Huhtamaki Circular Economy Startup Program & Event in Helsinki, Finland
October 1- December 1
Eligibility requirements and full terms of the program will be available on June 15th, and qualifications will begin that day and accepted on a rolling basis.
To determine whether you are qualified to apply, you will be asked to enter your basic business information into our website intake form to request a Stage I Application. We will follow up via email with the Stage I Application Survey, which will be due back to us no later than August 15th, to be assured ample time for the Program Application to be completed by qualified applicants. This survey is designed to help us quickly determine if you are eligible to formally apply for the program.
Once it has been determined that you are qualified to apply, applications will be accepted until August 15th (see Step 2 below).
Once we have determined that your company is eligible for the Huhtamaki Circular Economy Program by FS6, we will send out a more detailed Stage II Application for you to complete. This survey will take longer to fill out, so be sure to read through and prepare any necessary resources when you receive it.
Please note that we will not consider Applications after the August 15th deadline.
To determine whether you are qualified to apply, you will be asked to enter your basic business information into our website intake form to request a Stage I Application. We will follow up via email with the Stage I Application Survey, which will be due back to us no later than August 15th, to be assured ample time for the Program Application to be completed by qualified applicants. This survey is designed to help us quickly determine if you are eligible to formally apply for the program.
Once it has been determined that you are qualified to apply, applications will be accepted until August 15th (see Step 2 below).
Once we have determined that your company is eligible for the Huhtamaki Circular Economy Program by FS6, we will send out a more detailed Stage II Application for you to complete. This survey will take longer to fill out, so be sure to read through and prepare any necessary resources when you receive it.
Please note that we will not consider Applications after the August 15th deadline.
Terms & Conditions
Benefits to companies:
The purpose of this program is to support the development of young and promising, values aligned, companies working in the circular economy. This start-up cohort of change leaders, will receive the on-going benefit of ecosystem connection and support that FS6 offers to the entrepreneurs that we support.
Companies that are selected for the Program (Selected Companies) will each receive mentorship and advising from the FS6 team and network, and will join together for a 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland for a collaborative educational program that connects entrepreneurs with experts from the Huhtamaki ecosystem. Companies will receive a grant for up to $15k, intended to support travel and participation for one CEO to the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland. The disbursement of up to $15K grant per company shall be made in two payments: 50% following selection and execution of a Program Participation Agreement, and 50% at the conclusion of the Program.
In addition, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive additional grants of up to an aggregate of $200k and 1 company will receive a full year of mentorship and support from the FS6 ecosystem.
The companies will be selected based on the FS6 selection process – including an internal evaluation system for measuring and quantifying holistic impact. FS6’s process will focus on identifying innovations that are making change through the circular economy. The application process release on June 15, 2020 will include a full description of the metrics and processes used by FS6 in determining the winning recipients.
Companies chosen for the program must fulfill the following terms:
FS6 is the sole and final decision maker on all aspects of this program and in the selection of the Winning Recipients.
Winning Recipients are required to execute a Program Participation Agreement, and other documents required by FS6 and/or Huhtamaki, necessary, in their sole discretion, to allow participation in the program, and are required to meet and maintain engagement as specified in the Program Participation Agreement or other such agreements.
The purpose of this program is to support the development of young and promising, values aligned, companies working in the circular economy. This start-up cohort of change leaders, will receive the on-going benefit of ecosystem connection and support that FS6 offers to the entrepreneurs that we support.
Companies that are selected for the Program (Selected Companies) will each receive mentorship and advising from the FS6 team and network, and will join together for a 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland for a collaborative educational program that connects entrepreneurs with experts from the Huhtamaki ecosystem. Companies will receive a grant for up to $15k, intended to support travel and participation for one CEO to the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland. The disbursement of up to $15K grant per company shall be made in two payments: 50% following selection and execution of a Program Participation Agreement, and 50% at the conclusion of the Program.
In addition, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive additional grants of up to an aggregate of $200k and 1 company will receive a full year of mentorship and support from the FS6 ecosystem.
The companies will be selected based on the FS6 selection process – including an internal evaluation system for measuring and quantifying holistic impact. FS6’s process will focus on identifying innovations that are making change through the circular economy. The application process release on June 15, 2020 will include a full description of the metrics and processes used by FS6 in determining the winning recipients.
Companies chosen for the program must fulfill the following terms:
- Engage in all programmatic elements of the cohort program (though December 15, 2020)
- One representative from each company must attend the 3-day cohort intensive in Helsinki (or on-line version)
- Uphold the values of Food System 6
FS6 is the sole and final decision maker on all aspects of this program and in the selection of the Winning Recipients.
Winning Recipients are required to execute a Program Participation Agreement, and other documents required by FS6 and/or Huhtamaki, necessary, in their sole discretion, to allow participation in the program, and are required to meet and maintain engagement as specified in the Program Participation Agreement or other such agreements.
Program FAQ:
How will I know if I qualify to apply to the program?
Once we receive your Eligibility Qualification Application, FS6 will be in touch if you are qualified to formally apply to the accelerator program.
What is the cost of participation in an FS6 cohort?
Through the generous support of our funding partner Huhtamaki, we are able to offer the program to companies and non-profits at no-charge.
What type of funding is included in this program?
FS6 will provide a total of up to $300k in equity free grants to up to 8 companies of any entity type, formally selected as the Program cohort.
Each of the selected companies will receive a one-time Participation Grant of $15k to support their CEO in the Program and 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland.
From this cohort group and upon completing the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive additional equity free grants based on Grant Selection Criteria.
Equity Free Grant amounts are as follows:
See the expanded FAQ here.
How will I know if I qualify to apply to the program?
Once we receive your Eligibility Qualification Application, FS6 will be in touch if you are qualified to formally apply to the accelerator program.
What is the cost of participation in an FS6 cohort?
Through the generous support of our funding partner Huhtamaki, we are able to offer the program to companies and non-profits at no-charge.
What type of funding is included in this program?
FS6 will provide a total of up to $300k in equity free grants to up to 8 companies of any entity type, formally selected as the Program cohort.
Each of the selected companies will receive a one-time Participation Grant of $15k to support their CEO in the Program and 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland.
From this cohort group and upon completing the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive additional equity free grants based on Grant Selection Criteria.
Equity Free Grant amounts are as follows:
- FS6 will select up to 2 companies to each receive an equity free grant of $50k each.
- FS6 will select up to 1 company to receive a $100k equity free grant and one full year of advisory and mentor support.
See the expanded FAQ here.
Grant Selection Criteria
Candidates are chosen through a rigorous selection process, in which system impact, economic viability of the business, and coachability of the entrepreneur is considered. FS6 is looking for early stage companies with a proven track-record of success and a clear ability for FS6 to help them. When we review the economic viability of the company or non-profit, we’re looking a strong leader, a creative and innovative solution to a problem present in the current marketplace, key differentiators that set a particular product offering apart, and a strategy that takes into account a deep understanding of systems impact on the circular economy.
Steps for Winner Selection:
1. Website intake, Stage I Application & internal review for qualification
2. Invitation to complete full application
3. FS6 evaluates all full applications on a rolling basis
4. Full application scoring to determine phone screen
- Phone Screen
- In-Person or Video Interview
- Selection committee blind scoring of interviews and application
5. FS6 Selection committee reviews all scores ranked by the following:
- Impact (see 5a. below)
- Business state & stage (see 5b. below)
- Compatibility with FS6 capabilities. Defining how we will help a company is a critical part of our internal decision making process.
6. Final Interviews and Cohort selection
7. Offers extended and accepted
1. Website intake, Stage I Application & internal review for qualification
2. Invitation to complete full application
3. FS6 evaluates all full applications on a rolling basis
4. Full application scoring to determine phone screen
- Phone Screen
- In-Person or Video Interview
- Selection committee blind scoring of interviews and application
5. FS6 Selection committee reviews all scores ranked by the following:
- Impact (see 5a. below)
- Business state & stage (see 5b. below)
- Compatibility with FS6 capabilities. Defining how we will help a company is a critical part of our internal decision making process.
6. Final Interviews and Cohort selection
7. Offers extended and accepted
Selection Committee Detail:
5a. Evaluating Impact:
The FS6 Impact Areas focus on four pillars of impact. FS6 seeks out companies that have a system-wide impact, meaning that they touch across multiple impact areas.
FS6 Impact Areas
The FS6 impact areas are adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems, a values-based strategic planning and evaluation framework developed by the Center for Whole Communities and the Community Food Security Coalition.
5b. Evaluating Business State & Stage:
The selection committee completes a series of surveys that are mapped to the application and interview process.
The scores are compiled following each interview process and then used to determine the best fit of applicants for FS6 to evaluate for Compatibility.
5a. Evaluating Impact:
The FS6 Impact Areas focus on four pillars of impact. FS6 seeks out companies that have a system-wide impact, meaning that they touch across multiple impact areas.
FS6 Impact Areas
- Healthy People
- Sustainable Ecosystems
- Vibrant Farms
- Justice & Fairness
- Circularity
The FS6 impact areas are adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems, a values-based strategic planning and evaluation framework developed by the Center for Whole Communities and the Community Food Security Coalition.
5b. Evaluating Business State & Stage:
The selection committee completes a series of surveys that are mapped to the application and interview process.
The scores are compiled following each interview process and then used to determine the best fit of applicants for FS6 to evaluate for Compatibility.
Application areas:
From this cohort group and upon completing the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive the additional equity free grants and benefits. These Winners will be selected based on total score in the areas of Impact, Business Stage & State, AND on the participants ability to articulate, during their in-person business presentation, how the additional benefit will help them achieve their next milestone. Companies will present their business on Day 3 of the in-person program in Helsinki, Finland.
The FS6 will evaluate these presentations based on the following 3 criteria:
Who is eligible to take part in a cohort from each participating entity?
This program is explicitly focused on supporting the primary leader of the company, typically the CEO. If accepted, the CEO, or another delegate of the company who has a job title and responsibilities similar to a CEO, must participate in all program sessions. At the discretion of FS6, a secondary C-suite executive may be invited to participate to support the CEO in the program.
What if I have more questions about my application?
FS6 will host an informational webinar on June 25th and July 16th. Sign up here. Webinars will be recorded and then be posted on the website at foodsystem6.com/cep by July 1st.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide feedback on individual applications.
Are there any costs to apply?
There is no cost to apply for this program.
----------------------------------
Around the world, we are facing increasing challenges related to the ways in which we use and consume resources - from climate change to compounding waste pileups. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that seeks to eliminate or utilize the system outputs that would, in a linear model, be thrown out as waste or released as pollution. Circular solutions focus on optimizing the use and re-use of materials, as well as the regeneration of natural resources.
By moving towards a circular economy model, we are leaving behind the extractive production and consumption cycles that have negatively impacted human and planetary health; we are investing in a future where we can continue to produce what we need to thrive, without depleting our essential and limited natural resources.
From this cohort group and upon completing the 3-day event in Helsinki, Finland, FS6 will select up to 3 of these companies to receive the additional equity free grants and benefits. These Winners will be selected based on total score in the areas of Impact, Business Stage & State, AND on the participants ability to articulate, during their in-person business presentation, how the additional benefit will help them achieve their next milestone. Companies will present their business on Day 3 of the in-person program in Helsinki, Finland.
The FS6 will evaluate these presentations based on the following 3 criteria:
- Ability to develop a clear, well-structured and informative presentation/ pitch that is compelling and persuasive
- Ability to prepare effective slides that support and strengthen the clarity of the message
- Ability to summarize and close a presentation to achieve the required/desired outcome
Who is eligible to take part in a cohort from each participating entity?
This program is explicitly focused on supporting the primary leader of the company, typically the CEO. If accepted, the CEO, or another delegate of the company who has a job title and responsibilities similar to a CEO, must participate in all program sessions. At the discretion of FS6, a secondary C-suite executive may be invited to participate to support the CEO in the program.
What if I have more questions about my application?
FS6 will host an informational webinar on June 25th and July 16th. Sign up here. Webinars will be recorded and then be posted on the website at foodsystem6.com/cep by July 1st.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide feedback on individual applications.
Are there any costs to apply?
There is no cost to apply for this program.
----------------------------------
Around the world, we are facing increasing challenges related to the ways in which we use and consume resources - from climate change to compounding waste pileups. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that seeks to eliminate or utilize the system outputs that would, in a linear model, be thrown out as waste or released as pollution. Circular solutions focus on optimizing the use and re-use of materials, as well as the regeneration of natural resources.
By moving towards a circular economy model, we are leaving behind the extractive production and consumption cycles that have negatively impacted human and planetary health; we are investing in a future where we can continue to produce what we need to thrive, without depleting our essential and limited natural resources.